Branched Applicator Tines and An Applicator Brush Head Incorporating Branched Tines

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator brush head has a plurality of molded tines, each with a main shaft and a first and a second branch extending from the shaft. The first branch extends at a point between the base of the shaft and the free end of the shaft. The second branch extends from the shaft at a point between the base of the shaft and the first branch. The first and second branches extend in a radial direction from the shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to molded applicator tines and anapplicator brush head made with such tines for applying cosmetic orcoloring compounds to hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc.

2. Background

Brush heads with molded tines, bristles or teeth for applying mascara,color, dye, tint, treatment or other hair, lash or brow products arewell known.

Applicator brushes with molded tines (as opposed to, for example,brushes with fiber bristles secured between the branches of a twistedwire core, or tufts of bristles secured by staples in holes in a solidbase, backbone, rod or core) generally comprise several rows of tineseither integrally molded, over-molded or assembled onto a core. Theknown brushes generally have tines arranged in a circular duplicationalong the longitudinal axis of the brush core. In other words, the tinesare arranged in repeated radially extending rings along the length ofthe core. Tines in adjacent rings form rows of tines. The brushesgenerally have 6 to 12 rows of tines. Each row has a plurality of tines.Generally, the profile, shape or design of each of the tines is the samethroughout the brush head. Also each tine generally has a circular orsemi-circular cross-section.

A drawback with known molded tine brush heads is, for example, thediminished ability to comb and separate lashes after mascara or otherproduct has been applied. Also, molded tine brushes may not grip, forexample, an eyelash shaft to the same degree as the fibers of a twistedwire core brush head.

Accordingly, there is a need for a molded tine brush head with improvedability to comb and separate lashes after mascara or other product hasbeen applied, and there is a need for a molded tine brush head with animproved ability to grip lashes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cosmetic applicator brush head has a plurality of molded tines, eachwith a main shaft and a first and a second branch extending from theshaft. The first branch extends at a point between the base of the shaftand the free end of the shaft. The second branch extends from the shaftat a point between the base of the shaft and the first branch. The firstand second branches extend in a radial direction from the shaft at anangle of 5° to 90° relative to the free end and to a longitudinal axisof the shaft.

The cosmetic applicator brush head has a base adapted to be secured to arod with a cap. A plurality of molded tines extends from the base. Eachof the plurality of molded tines has a main shaft having a first endsecured to the base, and an opposite free end. The main shaft defines alongitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end to the free end.A first branch extends from the main shaft at a point between the firstend and the free end. The first branch extends in a radial directionfrom the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the free endand to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft. A second branch extendsfrom the main shaft at a point between the first end and up to andincluding a height of the first branch on the shaft. The second branchextends radially from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relativeto the free end and to the longitudinal axis. The brush head is adaptedto load, deposit and doctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint,treatment and other hair, lash and brow products. The brush head is alsoadapted to comb and separate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.

The invention also relates to a tine extending from a cosmeticapplicator brush head. The tine has a main shaft with a first endadapted to be secured to the base, and an opposite free end. The mainshaft defines a longitudinal axis and has a length taken from the firstend to the free end. A first branch extends from the main shaft at apoint between the first end and the free end. The first branch extendsin a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90°relative to the free end of the shaft and to the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft. A second branch extends from the main shaft at a pointbetween the first end and up to and including a height of the firstbranch on the shaft. The second branch extends radially from the shaftat an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the free end and to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft. The tine is adapted to load, deposit anddoctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint, treatment and otherhair, lash and brow products, and is adapted to comb and separateeyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation and partial sectional view of a mascara packageincorporating the brush head with molded tines of a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brush head with molded tines of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the brush head with molded tines of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the brush headwith molded tines of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the branched applicator tines of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the second embodiment of the brush headwith molded tines shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a mascara package incorporating a cosmeticapplicator brush head with molded tines of a first embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The package includes a vial 2 (shown in asectional view) defining a storage reservoir 6 for product P. The vialhas a wiper 4 and a neck 8 defining an opening 10 for receiving anapplicator 12 and for withdrawing product P. The applicator 12 includesa cap 16 adapted to be received on the neck 8 for closing the vial 2.Internal threads (not shown) inside the cap are provided to mate withexternal threads 14 on the neck 8 to secure the cap 16 on the vial. Arod 18 depends from the cap and supports at an opposite end a cosmeticapplicator brush head 20. An axis 24 is defined through the brush head20. The applicator brush head 20 has a base 26 adapted to be secured tothe rod 18. The base 26 supports at least one molded tine 22, andpreferably a plurality of tines 22, that extend radially from the base26 relative to the axis 24.

For clarity, “tines” are generally understood to be prongs extendingfrom an implement. “Bristles” are generally understood to be stiff,hair-like structures. “Teeth” are generally understood to be projectingparts each resembling a tooth in shape or function, as on a comb, gear,or saw. As used herein, the terms “tines”, “bristles” or “teeth” insingular or plural form are used interchangeably to designate any thin,stiff prong, projection, projecting part or structure extending from asupporting backbone, rod, core or base. Preferably, the tines, bristlesand teeth are adapted to load, deposit and doctor mascara, color, dye,tint, treatment or other hair, lash or brow products, as well as combingand separating individual lashes, brow hairs and hair shafts.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, each tine 22 has a main shaft 28 with a baseend or first end 34 secured to the base 26 of the brush head 20. Theshaft 28 has an opposite free end 36. The shaft defines a longitudinalaxis 38, and the shaft 28 has a length taken from the first end 34 tothe free end 36. A first branch 30 extends from the shaft 28 at a pointbetween the first end 34 and the free end 36. The first branch 30extends in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle AA of 5°to 90° relative to the free end 36 and to the longitudinal axis 38 ofthe shaft 28. A second branch 32 extends from the shaft 28 at a pointbetween the first end 34 and up to and including a height of the firstbranch 30 on the shaft 28. The second branch 32 extends radially fromthe shaft 28 at an angle BB of 5° to 90° relative to the free end 36 andto the longitudinal axis 38. The brush head 20 is adapted to load,deposit and doctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint, treatmentand other hair, lash and brow products, and is adapted to comb andseparate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, each row of tines 22 can be the same,configured in a circular repetition along the axis 24 of the brush head20. The branches 30, 32 may be straight (as shown) or curved (notillustrated). Each tine 22 and respective branch or branches 30, 32 maybe provided with any cross-section suitable to the intended purposes ofthe brush head. The distribution of the branches 30, 32 along the shaft28 may be at the same height relative to the first end, or may belocated at different heights. Adjacent tines 22 on a brush head 20 mayhave branches 30, 32 located at the same height, or adjacent tines 22 ona brush head 20 may have branches 30, 32 located at different heights.Adjacent tines 22 may be identical in shape, configuration anddimensions, or may be different in at least one of shape, configurationand dimensions. Similarly, branches 30, 32 on adjacent tines 22 may beidentical in shape, configuration and dimensions, or may be different inat least one of shape, configuration and dimensions. Each row of tines22 may have identical tines or may have different tines and/or differentbranches. Rows of branched tines may be alternated with rows of tineshaving no branches. Alternatively, within each row, tines with branches30, 32 may be alternated with tines having no branches. The possiblevariations and combinations are infinite.

While the embodiments described herein are illustrated with each tine 22of the plurality of tines having first and second branches, 30 and 32respectively, it will be understood that the brush head may include sometines with only one branch (the first branch 30) and/or some tines withno branches at all. It is the intention of the inventors that as long asat least some of the tines 22 of the brush include a first branch 30, ora first branch 30 and second branch 32, the invention is embodied in thebrush. For example, each row of tines can include the branched tines ofthe invention alone, or alternatively, a mix of the branched tines ofthe invention and conventional tines (e.g., no branches).

The first branch 30 and second branch 32 may extend from the shaft 24 inthe same direction. Alternatively, the first branch 30 may extend fromthe shaft 24 in a first radial direction and the second branch 32 mayextend from the shaft 24 in a second radial direction. The second radialdirection may be opposite the first radial direction as illustrated inthe Figures.

The angle of the first branch 30 relative to the longitudinal axis 38may be the same as the angle of the second branch 32, or the angles ofthe first branch 30 and second branch 32 may be different angles. Theangle AA, BB is 5° to 90° relative to the free end 36 and to thelongitudinal axis 38 of the shaft 28. At least one of the first branch30 or the second branch 32 has a length that is at least 5% of thelength of the shaft 28.

In a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pluralityof tines 22 are arranged in equally spaced rows to radially extend in aconfiguration that is substantially 360 degrees around the base 26.Alternatively, the rows of teeth may be offset from each other. In asecond embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, theplurality of tines 22 are arranged in two rows that extend substantiallyfrom one side of the base 26 only. It will be understood that theillustrated embodiments are examples, and that the numbers anddimensions of tines 22 and the configuration of the tines 22 in rows maybe selected to be suitable for a particular formula or applicationpurpose.

While brush heads 20 with a plurality of tines 22 are described above asembodying the invention, the invention is also embodied in theindividual tines 22 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4A. Each tine22 has a main shaft 28 defining a longitudinal axis 38. A first end 34of the shaft 28 is adapted to be secured to the base 26 of the brushhead 20. The shaft 28 has an opposite free end 36. A length of the shaft28 is taken from the first end 34 to the free end 36. A first branch 30extends from the shaft 28 at a point between the first end 34 and thefree end 36. A second branch 32 extends from the shaft 28 at a pointbetween the first end 34 and up to and including a height of the firstbranch 30 on the shaft 28. The first branch 30 and a second branch 32extend in a radial direction from the shaft 28 at an angle AA, BB,respectively, of 5° to 90° relative to the free end 36 and thelongitudinal axis 38 of the shaft 28. The tine 22 is adapted to load,deposit and doctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint, treatmentand other hair, lash and brow products, and wherein the tine is adaptedto comb and separate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.

Whether in a plurality of tines or as an individual tine, the firstbranch 30 may extend from the shaft 28 in a first radial direction andthe second branch 32 may extend from the shaft 28 in the same radialdirection or in a second different radial direction. The second radialdirection may be opposite the first radial direction. The angle AA ofthe first branch 30 may be the same as the angle BB of the second branch32, or the angles of the first branch 30 and second branch 32 may bedifferent. Preferably, at least one of the first branch 30 or the secondbranch 32 has a length that is at least 5% of the length of the shaft28.

The brush head tines 22 and the brush head 20 may be made by injectionmolding (or any other suitable molding means) from any suitable plasticmaterial. Preferred materials are, such as, for example, polymersincluding silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (e.g.,styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer—SEBS), vinylelastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (e.g., Hytrel® fromDuPont de Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Pelethane®from Dow Plastic), Nitrile or EPDM. Hardness of the material ispreferably from about 35 MPa (35 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours)to about 1180 MPa (82 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours). Morepreferably, tensile modulus ranges from about 95 MPa (45 Shore D Hytrel®from DuPont de Nemours) to about 570 MPa (72 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPontde Nemours). Most preferably, tensile modulus ranges from about 200 MPa(55 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours) to about 280 MPa (63 Shore DHytrel® from DuPont de Nemours).

The tines 22 may have any size, shape and spacing suitable for intendedpurposes and functions, e.g., application, arrangement and/or separationof hairs, eyebrows or eyelashes. Preferably, but not necessarily, thetines 22 have an average height ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 10mm. More preferably, the tines 22 have an average height from about 0.5mm to about 7 mm and, most preferably, from about 0.8 mm to about 5 mm.The average cross-sectional diameter of the tines 22 preferably rangesfrom about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm. More preferably, the cross-sectionaldiameter of the tines ranges from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, and mostpreferably from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm.

The brush head and tines of the invention may be used for theapplication of any cosmetic or treatment product to eyelashes, eyebrowsor hair, including, for example, mascara, eyelashes formula (e.g.,color, tint, dye, treatment, sealer, builder, volumizer, etc.), eyebrowformula, etc., in either liquid or gel form.

While the invention has been described and illustrated as embodied inpreferred forms of construction, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention recitedin the following claims.

1. A cosmetic applicator brush head, the brush head comprising: a baseadapted to be secured to a rod with a cap; a plurality of molded tinesextending from the base, each of the plurality of molded tines having: amain shaft having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite freeend, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken fromthe first end to the free end; and a first branch extending from themain shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the firstbranch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angleof 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft;wherein the brush head is adapted to load, deposit and doctor at leastone of mascara, color, dye, tint, treatment and other hair, lash andbrow products, and wherein the brush head is adapted to comb andseparate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.
 2. The cosmeticapplicator brush head of claim 1 further comprising a second branchextending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and up toand including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the secondbranch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90°relative to the longitudinal axis.
 3. The cosmetic applicator brush headof claim 2 wherein the first branch extends from the main shaft in afirst radial direction and the second branch extends from the main shaftin a second radial direction.
 4. The cosmetic applicator brush head ofclaim 3 where in the second radial direction is opposite the firstradial direction.
 5. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 2wherein the angle of the first branch is the same as the angle of thesecond branch.
 6. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 1 whereinthe first branch has a length that is at least 5% of the length of theshaft.
 7. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 2 wherein at leastone of the first branch or the second branch has a length that is atleast 5% of the length of the shaft.
 8. The cosmetic applicator brushhead of claim 1 wherein the tines are made from a material selected fromone of silicone elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl elastomer,thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer,Nitrile and EPDM.
 9. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 1wherein the tines are made from a material having a hardness of fromabout 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa.
 10. The cosmetic applicator brush headof claim 1 wherein the tines are made from a material having a hardnessof from about 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
 11. The cosmetic applicator brushhead of claim 1 wherein the tines are made from a material having ahardness of from about 200 MPa to about 280 MPa.
 12. The cosmeticapplicator brush head of claim 1 wherein the tines have an averageheight ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
 13. The cosmeticapplicator brush head of claim 1 wherein the tines have an averageheight from about 0.5 mm to about 7 mm.
 14. The cosmetic applicatorbrush head of claim 1 wherein the tines have an average height fromabout 0.8 mm to about 5 mm.
 15. The cosmetic applicator brush head ofclaim 1 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectional diameter offrom about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.
 16. The cosmetic applicator brush headof claim 1 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectional diameter offrom about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm.
 17. The cosmetic applicator brushhead of claim 1 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectionaldiameter of from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm.
 18. A tine for a cosmeticapplicator brush head with a base, the tine comprising: a main shafthaving a first end adapted to be secured to the base, and an oppositefree end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length takenfrom the first end to the free end; and a first branch extending fromthe main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, thefirst branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at anangle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft;wherein the tine is adapted to load, deposit and doctor at least one ofmascara, color, dye, tint, treatment and other hair, lash and browproducts, and wherein the tine is adapted to comb and separateeyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.
 19. The tine of claim 18further comprising a second branch extending from the main shaft at apoint between the first end and up to and including a height of thefirst branch on the shaft, the second branch extending radially from themain shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis.20. The tine of claim 19 wherein the first branch extends from the mainshaft in a first radial direction and the second branch extends from themain shaft in a second radial direction.
 21. The tine of claim 20wherein the second radial direction is opposite the first radialdirection.
 22. The tine of claim 19 wherein the angle of the firstbranch is the same as the angle of the second branch.
 23. The tine ofclaim 18 wherein the first branch has a length that is at least 5% ofthe length of the shaft
 24. The tine of claim 19 wherein at least one ofthe first branch or the second branch has a length that is at least 5%of the length of the shaft.
 25. The tine of claim 18 wherein the tine ismade from a material selected from one of silicone elastomer,thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl elastomer, thermoplastic polyesterelastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, Nitrile and EPDM. 26.The tine of claim 18 wherein the tine is made from a material having ahardness of from about 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa.
 27. The tine of claim18 wherein the tine is made from a material having a hardness of fromabout 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
 28. The tine of claim 18 wherein the tineis made from a material having a hardness of from about 200 MPa to about280 MPa.
 29. The tine of claim 18 wherein the tine has a height rangingfrom about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
 30. The tine of claim 18 wherein thetine has a height from about 0.5 mm to about 7 mM.
 31. The tine of claim18 wherein the tine has a height from about 0.8 mm to about 5 mM. 32.The tine of claim 18 wherein the tine has a cross-sectional diameter offrom about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.
 33. The tine of claim 18 wherein thetine has a cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5mm.
 34. The tine of claim 18 wherein the tine has a cross-sectionaldiameter of from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm.
 35. A cosmetic applicatorbrush head, the brush head comprising: a base adapted to be secured to arod with a cap; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base,each of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft having afirst end secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main shaftdefining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end tothe free end; a first branch extending from the main shaft at a pointbetween the first end and the free end, the first branch extending in aradial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relativeto the longitudinal axis of the main shaft; and a second branchextending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and up toand including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the secondbranch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90°relative to the longitudinal axis; wherein the brush head is adapted toload, deposit and doctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint,treatment and other hair, lash and brow products, and wherein the brushhead is adapted to comb and separate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hairshafts.
 36. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 35 wherein thefirst branch extends from the main shaft in a first radial direction andthe second branch extends from the main shaft in a second radialdirection.
 37. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 36 whereinthe second radial direction is opposite the first radial direction. 38.The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 35 wherein the angle of thefirst branch is the same as the angle of the second branch.
 39. Thecosmetic applicator brush head of claim 35 wherein at least one of thefirst branch or the second branch has a length that is at least 5% ofthe length of the shaft.
 40. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim35 wherein the tines are made from a material selected from one ofsilicone elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl elastomer,thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer,Nitrile and EPDM.
 41. The cosmetic applicator brush head of claim 35wherein the tines are made from a material having a hardness of fromabout 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa.
 42. The cosmetic applicator brush headof claim 35 wherein the tines are made from a material having a hardnessof from about 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
 43. The cosmetic applicator brushhead of claim 35 wherein the tines are made from a material having ahardness of from about 200 MPa to about 280 MPa.
 44. The cosmeticapplicator brush head of claim 35 wherein the tines have an averageheight ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
 45. The cosmeticapplicator brush head of claim 35 wherein the tines have an averageheight from about 0.5 mm to about 7 mm.
 46. The cosmetic applicatorbrush head of claim 35 wherein the tines have an average height fromabout 0.8 mm to about 5 mm.
 47. The cosmetic applicator brush head ofclaim 35 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectional diameter offrom about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.
 48. The cosmetic applicator brush headof claim 35 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectional diameterof from about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm.
 49. The cosmetic applicator brushhead of claim 35 wherein the tines have an average cross-sectionaldiameter of from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm.
 50. A tine for a cosmeticapplicator brush head with a base, the tine comprising: a main shafthaving a first end adapted to be secured to the base, and an oppositefree end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length takenfrom the first end to the free end; a first branch extending from themain shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the firstbranch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angleof 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft; and asecond branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the firstend and up to and including a height of the first branch on the shaft,the second branch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis; wherein the tine is adaptedto load, deposit and doctor at least one of mascara, color, dye, tint,treatment and other hair, lash and brow products, and wherein the tineis adapted to comb and separate eyelashes, eyebrow hairs or hair shafts.51. The tine of claim 50 wherein the first branch extends from the mainshaft in a first radial direction and the second branch extends from themain shaft in a second radial direction.
 52. The tine of claim 51wherein the second radial direction is opposite the first radialdirection.
 53. The tine of claim 50 wherein the angle of the firstbranch is the same as the angle of the second branch.
 54. The tine ofclaim 50 wherein at least one of the first branch or the second branchhas a length that is at least 5% of the length of the shaft.
 55. Thetine of claim 50 wherein the tine is made from a material selected fromone of silicone elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl elastomer,thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer,Nitrile and EPDM.
 56. The tine of claim 50 wherein the tine is made froma material having a hardness of from about 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa. 57.The tine of claim 50 wherein the tine is made from a material having ahardness of from about 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
 58. The tine of claim 50wherein the tine is made from a material having a hardness of from about200 MPa to about 280 MPa.
 59. The tine of claim 50 wherein the tine hasa height ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.
 60. The tine of claim50 wherein the tine has a height from about 0.5 mm to about 7 mM. 61.The tine of claim 50 wherein the tine has a height from about 0.8 mm toabout 5 mM.
 62. The tine of claim 50 wherein the tine has across-sectional diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.
 63. Thetine of claim 50 wherein the tine has a cross-sectional diameter of fromabout 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm.
 64. The tine of claim 50 wherein the tinehas a cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.3 mm to about 0.9 mm.